Colombia
Cocora Valley
Welcome to Cocora Valley, Colombia! This misty green valley is home to towering wax palms — the tallest palm trees in the entire world — standing so high they seem to disappear into the clouds.
Why is it famous?
Cocora Valley is home to about 2,000 wax palms, which can grow up to 200 feet (60 meters) tall, making them the tallest palm trees on the planet.
The valley's cool, misty climate makes low clouds drift right through the towering palms, giving it a magical, almost fairy-tale look.
How did it form?
The valley sits high in the Andes Mountains, between 1,800 and 2,400 meters above sea level, where cool temperatures and frequent rain create the perfect cloud-forest conditions.
Wax palms grow incredibly slowly, taking many decades to reach their record-breaking heights, which is why the tallest ones here are so treasured.
Amazing facts
The Quindío wax palm is Colombia's national tree, and Cocora Valley is one of the best places on Earth to see it.
The palms are named 'wax palms' because their trunks are covered in a waxy coating that people once used to make candles and soap.
Quick facts
- The Quindío wax palm is Colombia's national tree, and Cocora Valley is one of the best places on Earth to see it.
- The palms are named 'wax palms' because their trunks are covered in a waxy coating that people once used to make candles and soap.
- Hummingbirds and colorful birds flit around the valley's flowers, and horses are a popular way to explore the trails.
- The valley is the gateway to Los Nevados National Natural Park, home to even more dramatic Andean peaks.